Throughout the war in Iraq, media attention has been focused on military operations, and the impact on daily life has often been forgotten. In that war-torn nation, the medical system is a shambles, and the need for orthotics and prosthetics is rapidly rising. While most military attention has been focused on the war effort, one US Army captain in Baghdad turned his attention to helping Iraqi citizens receive the orthotic and prosthetic care they so desperately need.
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| Left to right: Captain Steve Lindsley, patient Fallah, and Sergeant Chris Cummings. |
Army Captain Steve Lindsley, who is the clinical
coordinator for the Mississippi Methodist Rehab Center, Monroe,
Louisiana, served as the logistics officer with the 112th Military
Police Battalion in Baghdad until early this year. He was one of
the pioneers of Operation Restoration, a project that was founded
to provide local Iraqis with artificial limbs and braces. Along
with Sergeant Chris Cummings, a member of the civil affairs unit
who owned an orthotic and prosthetic central fabrication business
before being called to duty, and Captain Rob Edwards, the INTEL
officer for his battalion, Lindsley was able to establish a
makeshift prosthetics lab in the basement of one of Saddam
Hussein's palaces where over 60 patients have received care.
The need for orthoses and prostheses was immediately apparent to
Lindsley and his colleagues in Iraq. "It was kind of ironic," said
Lindsley. "Baghdad is the most populated area, but prosthetic care
was not readily available to anyone."
Overcoming Obstacles
The founders of Operation Restoration had to overcome numerous
obstacles in order to succeed in providing quality care to their
patients. The high demand for care was overwhelming to Lindsley.
"The sheer number of patients is close to what I have accomplished
in a successful year of work in the states with two technicians and
three clinicians on staff."
Lindsley and his colleagues were required to carry out their
everyday duties within their respective units, which meant a vast
majority of their fabrication and patient care was done on their
free time. They were also lacking in equipment; the prosthetic lab
utilized a pizza oven that belonged to Saddam Hussein, and a
disarmed mortar tube served as a base for riveting various straps
to devices. All materials and components were donated through
Lindsley's hospital in Louisiana from various suppliers in the US
who wanted to help the Iraqi citizens. In addition, the soldiers
had to overcome a language barrier and work each day with the
constant threat of insurgent attacks.
New Lives for Amputees
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| Cummings fitting Iraqi patient. |
Despite their lacking equipment and shortage of
clinicians, the founders of Operation Restoration have been able to
see the difference they have made in their patients lives. Lindsley
related a story about an Iraqi tank commander named Fallah who lost
both of his limbs during the Iraq/Iran war. Both legs were crushed
at the ankle after his tank was destroyed. Fallah tied tourniquets
to both legs and crawled to help. After enduring nine surgeries, he
received his only set of prostheses, which he had for 17 years. He
had been doing his own prosthetic repairs over the years, using
wire from picture frames to mend his prostheses.
When Operation Restoration came to fruition, the former Iraqi
commander was fitted for new prostheses, which gave him a new lease
on life. "When we got the legs, he tried to get me to do an Iraqi
dance with him," said Lindsley. "Now he plays soccer with his
prostheses."
Just before leaving Iraq, Lindsley also had the opportunity to play
in a soccer game with three of his amputee patients and several
locals in northern Iraq. "The spirit of the patients is
incredible," he said. Though he is now stateside, Lindsley plans to
stay involved with the clinic he helped found in Iraq. In March,
Lindsley and Cummings traveled to Florida to discuss the terms of a
military funds disbursement that will benefit the clinic. The
military committed $350,000 to the clinic for the purchase of
BioSculptorŪ CAD software for above-the-knee and
below-the-knee amputations, as well as supplies that will be
shipped to the clinic.
Iraqi Students Train in US
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| Lindsley and Cummings with a group of children they provided with school supplies. |
Two Iraqi student apprentices that are currently
working in the lab in Iraq will be coming to the US to train on the
BioSculptor system so that they will be able to continue their work
when the US military leaves. Lindsley's hospital will have the same
software system so that they can continue to serve as support for
the Iraqi clinic. Through this training, Lindsley hopes that the
clinic will be able to prosper for years to come. "Our goal is that
the clinic maintains some semblance of independence for when we
can't be there." Lindsley will also work with civil affairs to
ship prosthetic components to the clinic.
Lindsley emphasized that stricter medical standards need to be
initiated in Iraq. The number of amputees was much lower than it
could have been, because often when a person loses a limb, he or
she also loses a life. "I want to see clinicians come up to the
standards we have here and take care of their patients."
High Hopes for Future
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| Lindsley fitting a patient with a new prosthesis. |
Those involved with Operation Restoration have
high hopes for its future success. With continued training, they
think that the Iraqi people will soon receive the quality medical
care they deserve.
However, Lindsley hopes that Operation Restoration has imparted a
deeper message to the Iraqi people. "I want to help the Iraqis to
see that contrary to what they have been taught from an early age,
there are many good people in America who care about others around
the world and want to help when possible."
With continued support from projects like Operation Restoration and
improvements in the medical system, Iraqi citizens will no doubt
receive that message.
